How is the foreman 450 on trails? I am sure they are work horses, but do they need low range or do the gears do the job? Is this a good machine for work and play? What are the prices of th S and ES?

 

The 400 and the 450 both have a really low 1st gear so you really don't need a low range. They are geared a little lower than most other manual shift quads all through the gears so they have a little lower top speed but I don't find you need the top end for trail riding. I don't know what they are worth in American dollars but the difference between the s and es models in Canada is only about $500.

 

The 450 is a nice all around bike and it is one of the more reliable bikes made.

 

I pulled my truck in first gear with mine and it didn't struggle at all. You don't need low range. It's a little rough on trails as the suspension could use some help. That is my biggest compaint. Also, steering is high effort compared to others. Plenty of power and very bulletproof though.

 

I have a 2003 Foreman with 20 hours on it, I have always owned sport 2-stroke quads so it was a little different going to this, but with the foreman in two wheel drive and 8 pounds of air in the tires it handles pretty good. No top speed though 47 - 48 MPH. Plenty of stump pulling low end.

 

My 03' 450S works great on the trails. I ride with 97' 400, and an 02' 350 4x4 and my 450 is just as good. The extra ground clearance above the 400 is nice to have in the rough sections. The 450 option of switching to 2WD is nice when it's not needed, it helps steer better. Check out my buddies website...you'll see a 450 with two guys and gear go across a river on a cable....HOOYAH!!!


Cayman


www.angelfire.com/ns2/4wln

 

I have a '98 450s, and do alot of trail riding and find this machine great. I can keep up with my buddies no sweat and chug through alot of mud and bog. Definantly don't need a low range, top speed is Ok, 80km is fast enough for me, if you need more speed, buy a SUV!!. If your riding faster that 80km/h than the trail is too easy!!!

 

I'm thinking of trading in my 02 Warrior to get a really nice 02 450S Foreman that a guy used for about 2 weeks and then got a Rincon. I want something in the same line as my brothers BigBear and this is Honda's equivilant to this. I ride mainly with my brother and would like to have similiar equipment. Nothing wrong with my Warrior but I just don't need a sport machine for what I do and how I like to ride.

I like the S only because it would seem to be a little more reliable over the ES. I think the ES is cool and have ridden a Rancher ES and it was kinda neat but I still like the foot shift setup. I will go to the dealer this week if I can and see what kind of deal I can turn.

 

Hey o3foreman,

My 02 Foreman 450 es will only do 40 mph tops wide open. It's all stock, no changes. What are you doing different to get 47/48 MPH?

Ted

 

Dusty, Do you still have your big bear? How do you like it and what do you use it for or have used it for?